The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

It is Christmastime. Here in New York, we have finally reached the point in the season where the snow has entered the chat. Not only did we get our first snow storm, but I experienced my first snow in New York. I come from a place not familiar with snow, so this was a big deal to me. While there are differing opinions on when celebrating Christmas is allowed, the snow really drove home the Christmas vibes. So in honor of Christmastime, I give you a holiday rom-com! It is not Hallmark and it is not Love Actually (2003). I give you hilarity in Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz. I give you a heartthrob in Jude Law. I give you an unexpected (yet wonderful!) male lead in Jack Black. For this special blog for the holidays, I give you: The Holiday (2006).

Nancy Meyers Has Changed My Life

Before we dive into the film, I need to acknowledge director and writer-extraordinaire Nancy Meyers. Nancy is known for The Holiday, but she is also known for some of my favorite movies: Father of the Bride (1991) and The Parent Trap (1998). While growing up, I made these movies my entire personality. I thought I was Lindsay Lohan in The Parent Trap. The way Meyers could represent exactly how I was feeling, even at such a young age was something that stuck with me. When I found out Meyers wrote, directed and produced The Holiday, I knew that regardless of how I felt about the plot, I would love it because of Nancy Meyers. I couldn’t write this blog without acknowledging her impact on me as a movie lover. Thanks Nancy! Would love it if you could do it again!

What’s Going On?

The film opens with Iris (Kate Winslet) and Amanda (Cameron Diaz) losing the men in their lives. Iris suffering from unrequited love, Amanda leaving her boyfriend after he cheats on her. On a whim, Amanda and Iris meet online and decide to participate in a house exchange.

Iris moves to Los Angeles, California while Amanda travels to Surrey, UK to spend a few weeks (over Christmas) away from their lives. Along the way, Amanda meets Graham (Jude Law), Iris’ brother and Iris meets two men: Miles (Jack Black) and Arthur (Eli Wallach). Amanda’s budding relationship with Graham shows her what a vulnerable and real relationship looks like. Iris’ relationship with Miles shows her what it looks like to be loved wholeheartedly. Finally, Iris and Arthur show audiences that friendships come in many forms, including a large age gap.

The connections between each character and the invisible string tying them all together is what truly brings it all together for such a cozy watch for the holiday season.

My Personal Opinions

Listen, I love Hallmark movies. I love Christmas. But I have never really fallen in love with a Christmas rom-com…until now. This movie is like curling up by a fire with a mug of hot cocoa. It encompasses all of the best parts about winter. I could talk on and on about how Nancy Meyers movies always make me feel this way, but I digress.

There is a lot going on in this movie, with multiple plots running together. My personal favorite plotline was the relationship between Iris and Arthur Abbott, a retired screenwriter. He struggles to accept his age, refusing offers to appear on panels honoring his achievements in Hollywood. Iris helps him to embrace his age, encouraging him to attend one of these award ceremonies, as his accomplishments should be honored regardless of how old or capable he is now.

I also cannot ignore the romantic relationships between Amanda and Graham, as well as Iris and Miles. Both couples have so much chemistry, it is so hard not to root for them. Graham, while struggling to find his identity as he gains responsibility in life, teaches Amanda what it means to be in a mature, vulnerable relationship. Iris, trying to get over a man who never loved her back, is shown what it looks like to have someone love you back and love you in the right way. The combination of these two couples provides a “found family” trope, even as Amanda and Iris do not interact with each other in person.

I never thought that I would be able to accept Jack Black as a leading man in a romantic comedy. But then I watched The Holiday. Many know Jack Black from School of Rock (2003) or even Kung Fu Panda (2008). His “brand” does not match with rom-coms and yet he proved that you can escape the box Hollywood places you in. He was so believable as Kate Winslet’s love interest, I’m honestly shocked we haven’t seen him in more rom-coms. Hopefully Jack will get another chance to prove the doubters wrong.

I cannot recommend this movie enough. It is perfect for that “in-between” time in the holidays when you aren’t sure if you want to dive into Christmas just yet. While it does take place during Christmas and feels like a Christmas movie, Christmas is not one of the primary characters of the movie. It is the perfect movie to ease into the holiday season.

Favorite Scene

My favorite scene in the movie is when Amanda decides to leave Iris’ cottage to go shopping and pass the time. We get to see Amanda attempt to drive on the “wrong” side of the road and have a nice bottle of wine while shopping for her trip. It never fails to make me laugh.

Playlist

Here you can find 30 curated songs that fit the vibes of The Holiday in one way or another! Listen to this playlist after the credits roll and you wish you could watch it for the first time again.

Where to Watch

The Holiday is available to watch on Philo, but it also available to rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV or YouTube.